AGE STRUCTURE AND BODY SIZE OF Mertensiella caucasica (WAGA, 1876) (CAUDATA: SALAMANDRIDAE) IN A POPULATION FROM TURKEY
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY, vol.24, no.3, pp.202-208, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 24 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2017
- Doi Number: 10.30906/1026-2296-2019-24-3-202-208
- Journal Name: RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.202-208
- Keywords: skeletochronology, longevity, growth, Caucasian Salamander, KARELINII STRAUCH 1870, SOUTHERN CRESTED NEWT, SEXUAL-DIMORPHISM, GROWTH, SKELETOCHRONOLOGY, AMPHIBIANS, EVOLUTION, SELECTION, LIZARD, FROG
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Here we present the age structure of a breeding Caucasian Salamander population from a high-altitude locality (Kazikbeli Plateau, Kurtun, Gumushane; 2213 m a.s.l.). Age structure was analyzed by counting lines of arrested growth (LAG). Endosteal resorption raised difficulties of counting LAGs. Males were found to be average older than females. Range of age was from 5 to 11 years in males, 4 to 8 years in females and 1 to 3 years in juveniles. Snout-vent length (SVL) of each individual was used as body size and mean values were recorded as 64.24 mm in males, 58.45 mm in females, and 44.60 mm in juveniles. Difference of SVL between sexes was found statistically significant. Meanwhile, male-biased sexual dimorphism was calculated (SDI = -0.099). The SVL was correlated with age in both sexes as strongly positive.